Francis Joseph Rizner

Francis Joseph Rizner, age 82, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Greene Point Health & Rehabilitation in Union Point, Georgia. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 5, 1943, to Harriet and Frank Rizner. He graduated from Cody High School and attended Wayne State University.

With his father’s early passing, Francis at the age of 17 assumed responsibility for the family’s lumber business, Rizner Lumber Company in Taylor, Michigan, for several years. An employment opportunity brought him to Greensboro, Georgia, where he met his wife, Dean. They were married on February 14, 1975, and celebrated fifty years of marriage on February 14, 2025.

In 1976, he began working at Burt Lumber Company in Washington, Georgia, retiring in 2010 after a career spanning fifty years in the lumber industry.

Francis was known for his love of music and his talent playing the clarinet, an instrument he began studying at age nine. He studied at the Teal School of Music in Detroit. His musical journey included playing in the US 5th Army Band near Chicago and serving for two years with the USA Army Europe Band in Heidelberg, Germany. He was a member of the Classic City Band in Athens, Georgia, for over 20 years. He also played in the praise band at First Baptist Church in Greensboro, where he was an active member, serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and gardening. Francis was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, brother, and uncle.

He is survived by his wife, Dean; sons, Jason (Rebekah) Rizner of Gray, Georgia, and Timothy (Katie) Rizner of Warthen, Georgia; four grandchildren, Kaylee, Preston, Kayden, and Clara, whom he dearly adored.

He is also survived by three brothers: Fred (Emily) Rizner of Grafton, Ontario, Canada; Russell (Julie) Rizner of Nyack, New York; and Robert (Karyn) Rizner of Aurora, Colorado; along with nieces Amy Clark and Kara Spedding, and nephews Sam and Jonathan Rizner.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 203 S. Main Street, Greensboro, Georgia 30642, with Reverend Mark Jones and Reverend David Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Greenview Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Greensboro, Georgia 30642. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will include Burt Goolsby, Rick Ward, Gary Walker, Warren Weatherford, Joey Ward and David Kopp. Deacons of First Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 203 S. Main Street, Greensboro, GA 30642, or to The Classic City Band.org. McCommons Funeral Home, located at 109 W. Broad Street, Greensboro, Georgia, (706) 453-2626, is entrusted with arrangements. To sign the online guest register, please visit www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com.
 

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